Quick. In the next three minutes, write down the names of as many black Catholic saints as you can.
How many did you get? 20? 15? 10? 5?
This was the start of Dr. Camille Brown’s talk on African Saints during the Diocese’s recent pilgrimage to the National Shrine in Washington, D.C. Many in the crowd had two or three names of African saints by the end of the exercise, but had many more by the end of Dr. Brown’s talk.
Gun violence, racism, pacifism and the Christian response to violence were the topics of discussion at this year’s LARC Day of Dialogue. The annual gathering is a joint effort of the Lutheran, Anglican and Roman Catholic churches in central Pennsylvania for prayer and greater cooperation between the Churches.
Taking place nine days after the mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue outside of Pittsburgh, the Day of Dialogue presented a socially relevant topic, said Father James Lease, Director of the Diocesan Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs.
Learning about the faith and history of the Church was a fun activity for youth attending the Diocese’s pilgrimage. Close to 85 children participated in a scavenger hunt, hosted by the Diocesan Council of Catholic Girl Scouts and Campfire Girls. All youth were invited to participate and explore the Basilica, while searching for eight “hidden” treasures.
In August, Knights of Columbus Council # 17028 was formed and chartered at St. Philip the Apostle Church in Millersville. Heading the Council is Grand Knight Robert W. Ziemba. The Council included 45 new and transferred members on the charter date of Aug. 1. Father Lawrence W. Sherdel, pastor at St. Philip’s and two terms Pennsylvania State Chaplain, requested the formation of the council. Brian T. Smith, Past Grand Knight, Former District Deputy and current CE New Council Development Chairman, is responsible for the development of new councils.
A gathering of more than 3,000 faithful from the Diocese of Harrisburg traveled to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Nov. 3. The pilgrimage was a time of prayerful reflection over recent events in the Church and the Diocese, as well as a commemoration of the Diocese’s 150th anniversary.
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Mechanicsburg March for Life Solidarity Day, Friday, January 18, to unite with those who are attending the march in Washington. The day begins at…
Some time ago, I traveled to Chicago to train a Sister from my congregation’s western province on web design. Not having a direct flight, I had a layover in Columbus, Ohio.
When I disembarked the plane for a layover, I stopped at a kiosk for some yogurt and fruit. As I was eating and watching people swirl all around me, an impeccably dressed man in his 30s sat next to me. He was eating his lunch as well.
Many years ago, while I was stationed in the Bronx, Immaculate Conception Parish had a custom of feeding the poor on Thanksgiving. We fed approximately 200 people and then prepared another 200 meals for shut-ins in the parish and neighborhood.
Rosemary Connelly had never traveled outside of the United States, or been on an airplane. She is afraid of heights. And she is discerning her path in life since her husband’s death in 2016.Yet, there she was on a flight with nearly 70 other pilgrims traveling from the Diocese of Harrisburg to Ireland for a 12-day pilgrimage to the Emerald Isle, Aug. 28-Sept. 8.
She had signed up for the pilgrimage just five days before its deadline – no passport or birth certificate on hand.
“I felt that if it was meant for me to go, everything would go well,” Ms. Connelly, a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Abbottstown, told The Catholic Witness.
As I sit in front of my computer looking at the blinking cursor and at the pictures of loved ones on the walls of my office, I ponder, “What’s next?” In the midst of our experiences right now in society and in the Church, what words can I share to make others reflect on the nature of jubilee? How can I find the grace?
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